SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-PSG-MAD/REAX Benitez, Blanc settle for point after Paris stalemate

Record ID: 134987

  • Title: SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-PSG-MAD/REAX Benitez, Blanc settle for point after Paris stalemate
  • Date: 21st October 2015
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 21, 2015) (REUTERS) PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM SIGN SAYING : "CHAMPIONS LEAGUE" SOUNDBITE (Spanish) REAL MADRID MANAGER RAFAEL BENITEZ SAYING PRESS CONFERENCE ON GOING WITH RAFAEL BENITEZ SOUNDBITE (Spanish) REAL MADRID MANAGER RAFAEL BENITEZ SAYING "I knew they (players) will give everything, respect the plan and keep being organized to try winning the g
  • Embargoed: 5th November 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA43F4OLZP8VA26TBW922V736YW
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Real Madrid took a big step towards finishing top of Champions League Group A game when they held Paris St Germain to a 0-0 draw in the French capital on Wednesday (October 21) as both teams remained unbeaten.
    French champions PSG enjoyed most of the possession but took an over-cautious approach and injury-hit Real had the best chances through Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese in the first half.
    "I knew they (players) will give everything, respect the plan and keep being organized to try winning the game," Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez told reporters afterwards.
    "I think we had opportunities to win and they had some too but I think we had more. I think we controlled pretty well the game facing a difficult opponent, coming here and having more shots than them, and to play the way we played with all injured players we have, as a manager I can be satisfied."
    The 10-time European champions stayed top of the group with seven points from three games and lead PSG on goal difference, with the reverse fixture to come in Madrid in two weeks' time.
    Malmo are third on three points after beating pointless Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0.
    Real entered the contest having conceded only two goals in eight La Liga games and none in two matches in Europe and they looked solid throughout.
    They were without the injured Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez.
    PSG were almost at full strength with their preferred midfield of Blaise Matuidi, Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti, missing only centre back David Luiz through injury.
    The hosts imposed their usual possession pattern on the game and had their first clear chance after 11 minutes when Matuidi's low shot was blocked by Keylor Navas.
    "I don't care about the ball possession. I am more interested in the image the team shows. We had shots on goal, we had opportunities, we defended when we had to defend and controlled the ball when we had to. And despite the missing (players), we saw a great Real Madrid," added Benitez.
    Motta anchored the midfield as PSG played neatly although they were too slow up front and Angel Di Maria looked clumsy while striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a night to forget.
    In true Rafael Benitez style, Real played tight, looking to bring the ball forward as quickly as possible when they had the chance, but PSG were vigilant.
    The visitors had a big opportunity in the 25th minute when Kevin Trapp made a fine save from Jese after he had collected a brilliant through ball from Toni Kroos.
    The German keeper was at it again 10 minutes from the interval, tipping Ronaldo's header over the bar as Real began to take control, before Casemiro forced Trapp into another save with a long-range shot.
    "When you don't have the result you are hoping for before the game, of course you are a bit disappointed. But then you have to do an analyse of the two halves. And I think the first half was much more disappointing than the second one.
    The proof is the control we had in second half," said Paris Saint Germain manager Laurent Blanc.
    PSG were back in possession after the break and Edinson Cavani went close when he latched on to a cross from Motta in the 49th.
    Lucas came on for Cavani and Di Maria made way for Javier Pastore as Laurent Blanc looked to spice it up up front shortly before Isco was replaced by Luka Modric for Real Madrid.
    At the end of a sharp counter-attack, Ronaldo missed the target with a powerful angled shot.
    "We are a bit disappointed. We though Paris Saint Germain could dominate Real Madrid and we realise to dominate Real we need to be really good," said Blanc. "And even if Real is missing players you also have to be really good. Few teams can dominate Real Madrid and we saw it tonight even if I sincerely think we compete with this team. We didn't dominate them but I really think they didn't dominate us either, that is why I am saying a draw seems fair for this game."
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